Can Kellen Moore Fix THIS For Jalen Hurts?

First of all, I would like to credit Robert Mays (@robertmays on X) who hosts the Football Show on The Athletic for some fantastic analysis that depicts how bad things got for the Eagles offense last season. It will leave you wondering whether Brian Johnson was not ready for prime time as a coordinator OR if Jalen Hurts was figured out by opposing defensive coordinators. I’ll let the facts set up the discussion.

What does that tell you? There was either little respect for Hurts' ability to beat the blitz or the offensive play design under Brian Johnson was completely inept. The truth probably falls somewhere in the middle.

Hurts was blitzed on third down a ridiculous 44.6% of the time. Thats a crazy number. How crazy? The gap between Hurts and the number two quarterback in blitz percentage is the same as the gap between the number two quarterback and the 18th quarterback!

One thing is factual. They never were able to adjust to what opposing defenses were throwing at them and the blitz percentage was higher as the season went along. Opposing defensive coordinators saw things on tape and just doubled down on attacking Hurts, believing that was the most effective strategy to defeat them.

Thankfully, Kellen Moore has an excellent reputation for being at the top of his field in addressing handling the opposition blitz. For example, he has shown that with Dak Prescott in Dallas and with Justin Herbert in Los Angeles that his offenses are outstanding at picking up a blitz.

In 2022, Dak Prescott was number one against the blitz and in 2023 Justin Herbert was 6th against the blitz. In his seasons as an offensive coordinator, Moore's offenses average out as Top 5 against the blitz.

There is enough data to show that his plan is usually highly successful against the blitz, so Jalen Hurts should have no excuses to thrive against it. He has a superior offensive line to both of Moore’s previous teams and arguably better offensive talent surrounding him.

If we see a reemergence of the talents of Jalen Hurts and he returns to MVP form then we will have received a complete referendum on how ineffective Brian Johnson was at developing an offensive scheme. If Hurts doesn’t thrive under Moore and his system, there will be many that justifiably will be wondering if Jalen has regressed.

Either way, Moore has the proven pedigree and it’s up to Hurts to deliver.

Jalen Hurts will return to his previous MVP contender form. The Eagles will be a top-ten offense when facing the blitz. Kellen Moore will help the Eagles create a top-three scoring offense. Nick Sirianni will benefit from the addition of Moore and the Eagles will win the NFC East once again. Moore will be one of the top head coaching candidates this upcoming off-season.

The Eagles better cash in on this one-time chance to win with Kellen Moore in-house.

Happy holiday! The NFL schedule has been released. We have known for a while now who the Eagles would be playing in the 2024 season, but now we know the dates and times. We now can determine which spots are good, which spots are bad, and of course the dreaded trap games. Whether you are like my partner John Kincade and think that doing wins and losses is “lazy radio”, there isn’t a single sports fan who doesn’t do it on their own time.  

After you make your prediction, you will text your friends and family to make sure it is on the record. You will call your favorite radio show and utter the words “you heard it hear first.” We will also find out some important answers:

Who will be the member of the Fanatic who has the Eagles winning 14 games? Who will be the first caller who predicts a perfect season including a Super Bowl win? Who will be the “Negadelphian” who has the Eagles finishing below 500?  

The schedule release isn’t just about determining the record of your favorite team, it is also a chance to start planning road trips, tailgates, or the big family get-together.

Will that family get-together be for a divisional rival? Or will it be for some of the nationally anticipated games between two potential Super Bowl opponents? Either way, the schedule release gives us a ton to be excited about. 

This bit of content is not about wins and losses, this is about my own personal likes and dislikes of the Eagles schedule. I will tell you about the games I am most excited for, and the games I am least excited about.  

Some games will be rated highly on my list for the quarterback battle, whereas some games may be low on the list because of the opponent or the field of play... Let me know what you think! 

I stated on Kincade and Salciunas last week that the Eagles would win the NFC East comfortability. That means by at least 2 games which is not something we are used to in this wild division. For that to happen, they have to take care of business against the Cowboys. I think this game will solidify the Eagles as division champs. Added bonus for it being at home.

Like I said, this is personal. I have a TON of family in Balitmore. There is also a big Lithuanian community in Baltimore. I need Philly to win this one. It is also a great quarterback battle and a late season matchup between two great teams which helps put this so high on the list.

Eagles vs Bengals was my Super Bowl pick for last season. It won’t be my pick this year, but I do think the Bengals bounce back in 2024. Between the quarterback battle and my prediction that didn’t come to fruition last year, this was a game I was excited for when the opponents first came out.

This game would be higher if it was at The Linc. It would also be lower if it wasn’t week 1. There is nothing like the first game of the season on the national stage. I want the Eagles to win every game, but especially this one. Midday Show producer Ray Dunne is the conductor of “The Love Train”. I need the Eagles to show the world early that the Packers cute little playoff run isn’t the sign of the future in the NFC. 

I am excited for this game because it will be a major test for the new look Eagles secondary. Between Cooper Kupp and Puca Nacua, we will find out a lot if this secondary is ready for the eventual Super Bowl expectations. Darius Slay will be on one side, but so will rookie Quinyon Mitchell. And against the Rams, potential slot corner Cooper Dejean will have a lot on his plate. Extra points for Sunday Night Football.

I have more road games in the top 5 than I do home games, this one is always a fun one no matter where the game is played. Philly or Pittsburgh, the cross-state rivalry is something that always brings a little extra to games like this between two out of conference opponents. Eagles fans make the drive to Pittsburgh, and Steelers fans make the drive to Philadelphia. And oh by the way, for all you morons who wanted Russell Wilson (It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me), we will get to see Jalen Hurts go up against him.

Not that one game against the Cowboys is necessarily more important than the other, but the end-of-the-season matchup with Dallas seems to always mean more. Points loss for it being “Americas Game of the Week” which means Tom Brady.

Most times a playoff rematch would be higher on the list, but last year sucked. Last year didn’t even feel like a playoff game. I will put money down now on the Eagles winning no matter what the spread is. It won’t be like last year. Why 8th then? Have fun making the trip Philly. I know you are going to have a blast.  

Dougie P in Philadelphia! Really the only thing I am looking forward to. Unless Trevor Lawrence turns things around and stops playing like a major disappointment, there isn’t much juice to this game for me.  

I can always use a laugh. The Giants usually provide that for me unless the Eagles find a way to crush my heart like they did at the end of last season. There is nothing like a beatdown of the Giants at the Linc. Also, because it is the final game of the regular season this could either mean something for division/conference standings, or a nice relaxing Sunday afternoon.

The Atlanta Falcons are one of the dumbest franchises in sports. Everything they do confuses me. Drafting Kyle Pitts instead of a quarterback. Drafting Bijan Robinson (and barely using him) when they had so many other areas to fill. Finally drafting a quarterback after they just signed Kirk Cousins to a 3-year deal. They offend my football intelligence. But hey, I’ll take a win at home.

Cleveland was a fun story last year... with Joe Flacco. They are back to that quarterback they gave a ton of guaranteed money to despite what he did off the field. Oh by the way, he hasn’t been anywhere close to the quarterback he was in Houston. At least the game is at home where I am sure Eagles fans will make Deshaun Watson feel comfortable... go get him Birds fans 

This is such a sleepy game. This isn’t the New Orleans Saints of 2017 where a rivalry had started very similar to the one against the 49ers following the 2022 season. You know, the one where they made ridiculous statements but couldn’t back it up because they lost? Yeah, that rivalry. Now the Saints regretfully have Derek Carr and a team in cap hell. This shouldn’t be a fun game, but if you are heading to New Orleans, have the time of your life.

They stink. That is all I have to say.  

Notice I haven’t had the Commanders on here once yet, and they play each other twice. No one in their life has said “I can’t wait for the Eagles to play the Commanders.” You know why? Because the Eagles should win every time... but sometimes they don’t and we lose our minds, and even in the games they win, they are NEVER pretty. I dread the Commander's games. 

Why is this one lower than the other matchup? Because it is being played in that toilet bowl of a stadium. Literally. Sewage has been seen falling from parts of the stadium. Looking forward to the day Josh Harris comes through and builds a new stadium just for Eagles fans to take over again. 

This one is self-explanatory. MetLife Stadium is Satan's favorite NFL stadium. It is a ticking time bomb for injuries. We saw last season, in one half, the Eagles lost both A.J and Sydney Brown for the remainder of the season. No other stadium has fans saying, “Just please get out of there healthy.” This game will always be at the bottom of my list.